Ranjangaon – Pilgrim Destination and travel guide

If you are in the state of Maharashtra in India, then you must experience the pilgrim destinations in this part of the world. The Ashtavinayak tour, is one such great destination in this state which is famous for being the most pristine and the most idyllic land with great religious pleasures.

The Ashtavinayak tour has eight temples of Lord Ganesha to be visited. These temples are related to the various episodes and legends related to Lord Ganesha’s life. These deities and idols in the temples are together called the Ashta Vinayak. It is said that there are certain rules to be followed  to go on these tours. You have to go to Moreshwar temple first in Moregaon, and then visit Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Theur and Lenyadri, Ozar and lastly Ranjangaon, and then complete the tour by visiting Moreshwar temple again.

Vinayaka or Lord Ganesh is thus believed to be a protector of all his devotees. These eight idols were found by nature or were naturally sculpted, and have been found and then housed in temples many many centuries back.

Ranjangaon, is one such place in the Ashtavinayak tours which has the swayambhu or the self created idol of Lord Ganesha. Located around 55 km from Pune, the original idol was very big but was hidden, so that it is not  destroyed .Today the smaller idol is kept for the public view.

Legend of the temple

When Lord Shiva defeated Tripurasura, then He established a temple in Ranjangaon. The temple lies on the Ahmednagar Pune line and is very pious as it is believed that Shri Ganesh helped Lord Shiva while he tried to overpower the demon Tripurasura who was destroying all the citadels in this kingdom. Legend has it that the demon got a boon that no one but Lord Shiva could kill the demon with his single arrow. The demon took advantage of his power and started plundering and killing the city. When the Gods approached Lord Shiva, he decided to defeat the demon with the help of Lord Ganesha who chanted a special mantra while Shiv fought. So Lord Shiva built this temple after his victory and named it Tripuravardine Maha Ganapati temple.

Tale of the temple

It is said that in the 9th and the 10th century, Madhavrao Peshwa made a small room in the temple basement to store the idol of Lord Ganesh. Then Sardar Kibe renovated the temple.

The temple

There is a nagarkhana which is located on top of the entry gate. The main temple resembles a Peshwa construction. Facing east it has a lovely entrance gate. With a predominant Peshwa style of temple the entrance lies on the eastern side. With the door keepers Jay and Vijay on each side of the temple gate, the idol is a divine statue with the lotus trunk turned to the left. With Riddhi and Siddhi standing on each side, the sun rays fall directly on the Lord. The temple has been specially built thus. The underground basement has the original idol which is believed to be very strong.

Ganesh festival is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur here and the temple is the main hub for all big celebrations held in the city.

The idol here is also called a Mahotkat and is said to have around 10 trunks and 20 hands.

There is a lot of parking space in the temple, and there are arrangements to keep your footwear too. Many shops on the way entice you to buy some things for the tourist. There are stalls offering flowers, coconut etc for the Lord.

Ranjangaon has the custom of offering jaggery to the Lord, as this is an intriguing custom here.

There is a constant flowing water in the entrance to wash our legs. There is a wooden mandap of the temple which is another lovely catch on the camera.

Enjoy the pilgrimage to Ranjangaon and come back totally blessed by the elephant god Lord Ganesha.